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Over the past years I have felt genuine sadness for those who have posted about losing their beloved pets. Last Friday was my turn.
We have had some great dogs in the past; Mutt, a large white dog who adopted us and would fetch my kids home by name, goofy Luke, the purebred irish setter my brother won in a poker game, Barney the majestic wolf shepherd cross who was brought from the North by a relative but unhappy in the city, Kaluha, the shepherd cross who we got to salve the frusterations of a too angry 10 year old boy, and lastly Tequila, the lab/shepherd/husky mix who belonged to our daughter who had too much wanderlust to keep him.
Those who have visited my home and met Tiki will verify what I say about him. He was gentle, sensitive, remarkably intelligent and loyal. He lived to please and had an arsenal of tricks that included turning the TV and lights on and off, counting, saying hello and covering me up with a blanket.
Tiki didn't have a lot of use for other dogs, while he would play the game of marking his territory, that was about all the recognition he would give them. He was after all in his mind a human and we were his family. Although I think you always feel your current dog is the best, I truly believe Tiki outranked all the others both in reality and in our hearts. His ears would suddenly perk up with this uncanny sense and we knew that a family member would be showing up at the door within 15 or 20 mins. How he did that baffled us.
Tiki lived to go to the farm with Jim where he would hunt rodents or lay by the truck while the boys worked the fields and machinery. He was my companion when we went on long walks where he patiently waited for me to photograph the wildlife so he could have permission to chase it.
He left a very big hole in our home that I suspect will take a long time to heal over. I look for his joyful greeting as I drive into town, his hopeful gaze as I eat my meals, his morning hugs when I get up and the sound of his breathing at the foot of my bed at night. Jim is constantly opening the front door and looking out as if he expects him to be patiently waiting to be let in.
We were blessed with him for 9 years and almost lost him in May. Although he never fully recovered we were fortunate to have a couple more good months (including the fishing pictured below). He deserved to leave this life with the dignity he had always exhibited and we decided to help him do that.
So here is to Tiki and all the other canine family members who have and do grace us with their unconditional love. What a gift they are!
We've never conciously got a dog for our own pleasure, and I don't think we will be doing that. Still, I suspect it won't be all that long before somehow one will find it's way into our home and hearts....we are just too good a doggy family to waste.
-------------------- “Did you ever stop to think, and forget to start again?” -Winnie the Pooh & A.A. Milne
Kelly Thorson Kel-T-Grafix 801 Main St. Holdfast, SK S0G 2H0 ktg@sasktel.net Posts: 5496 | From: Penzance, Saskatchewan | Registered: May 2002
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very well written tribute to a great friend at a very tough time. You have my sympathy, for your loss. I am one of the many who shared a similar report here when my current dog's brother headed off to his great reward at the age of 13. His sister Koa is now 16. It sure seems a shame sometimes, that such loyal companions must go forth ahead of us.
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I too have been there Kelly along with many and we truly do feel for what you are going through. It is a loss in the family know doubt about it and it is hard.
The good memories will come forward soon.
Sam
-------------------- Sam Staffan Mackinaw Art & Sign 721 S. Nokomis St. Mackinaw City, MI dstaffan@sbcglobal.net Posts: 1694 | From: Mackinaw City, MI | Registered: Mar 2004
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Great job Kelly. What an awesome pup. We lost our dog last Sept and think of him all the time. No animal can replace them in our hearts just help fill the void and ease the pain. Sorry Tiki had to leave so early :^(
-------------------- Brian Diver PDQ Signs Everett, Wa
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Kelly, that is so beautifully said. They touch us so profoundly and uniquely, as you say unconditionally. Warm, cherished memories to and your family.
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My keyboard now has tears all over it - when we lost Snickers a few years ago, I was heart-broken and couldn't even consider getting another dog.
I share your sorrow, but your last sentence says it all.........
-------------------- www.signcreations.net Sonny Franks Lilburn, GA 770-923-9933 Posts: 4115 | From: Lilburn, GA USA | Registered: Feb 1999
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Awww Kelly, I'm so sorry, but that was beautiful. Our dog is 13 now and she's a black lab, and is slowing down... it's going to be real hard... My sympathies go out to you and the family.
-------------------- "Keep Positive"
SIGNS1st. Neil Butler Paradise, NF Posts: 6277 | From: St. John's NF Canada | Registered: Mar 1999
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Beautiful writing...sniff...lost my last dog at 16...our pets are coming with us to Danville...so sorry for your loss
-------------------- Lynda Yoder Wayne Yoder Signs & Designs 4735 List Rd Grass Lake, MI 5176884951 Posts: 154 | From: Grass Lake, MI | Registered: Feb 2007
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-------------------- “Did you ever stop to think, and forget to start again?” -Winnie the Pooh & A.A. Milne
Kelly Thorson Kel-T-Grafix 801 Main St. Holdfast, SK S0G 2H0 ktg@sasktel.net Posts: 5496 | From: Penzance, Saskatchewan | Registered: May 2002
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Well written and felt, Kelly- prayers for you all- and, yes, for the new one who will appear. They do that.
-------------------- Catharine C. Kennedy CCK Graphics 1511 Route 28 Chatham Center, NY 12184 cck1620@taconic.net "Look at me, Look at me, Look at me now! I't's fun to have fun, But you have to know how!" Posts: 2173 | From: downtown Chatham Center, NY | Registered: Feb 2004
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Lost my weiner mutt in February - in the middle of closing on the house that I bought because he was going to love the fenced yard. His leash is still laying on the floor in my truck where it was put during his last ride & I suspect it will be there for a long time. The day I finally moved, I walked through the front door with Rocky's urn in 1 hand & the little one's leash in the other. Of everything I went through this year, loosing him is what broke me.
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Kelly, you were saying a lot of the things I would say to describe our chocolate lab, Lucy! My, how your heart must be hurting!
Lucy is a hunter, & she actually chased a bear a couple of weeks ago. The second bear she has chased. She listened & came back when I called her tho.
When I think of the pain I will face someday, I wonder why we get pets at all. But we learn a lot from them, don't we? And they bless us so much, comfort, friendship, security, LOVE!
-------------------- The Word in Signs Bobbie Rochow Jamestown, PA 16134
724-927-6471
thewordinsigns@alltel.net Posts: 3485 | From: Jamestown, PA 16134 | Registered: Oct 2002
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Kelly...so sorry to hear of your loss...what a great dog Tiki must have been...and a very lucky one might I add to have had such a loving and caring family...I'm sure it will take a while to heal the tremendous hole left in your hearts...although there will never be another Tiki...something tells me there's a very lucky pooch out there somewhere just waiting to steal your hearts away...thanks for sharing with us at this time.
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So sorry Kelly. That was beautifully written, got me all choked up. Dogs are such a blessing. I believe they are God's gift to help us make it through this journey called life.
-------------------- Jean Shimp Shimp Sign & Design Co. Jacksonville Beach, Fl Posts: 1266 | From: Jacksonville Beach, Fl. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Hi, Donna here (Rusty's partner) Please accept my condolences. Thank you Kelly for caring for this wonderful dog and all the others that have been fortunate enough to find their way into your home and hearts. I generally prefer the company of dogs to humans........I think you and I might be kindred souls. As nature abhors a vacuum, I am sure that another wonderful dog is right around the corner.
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Kelly I remember you talking about your dog and the long walks you had with him when we were in the Czech Republic. I am sorry that your friend is gone.
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Kelly, our condolences on your loss. Very nice tribute.
-------------------- Bruce Bowers
DrCAS Custom Lettering and Design Saint Cloud, Minnesota
"Things work out best for the people who make the best of the way things work out." - Art Linkletter Posts: 6451 | From: Saint Cloud, Minnesota | Registered: Jun 1999
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